Extraction of castings



May 16, 1967 J. HE IM EXTRACTION OF CASTINGS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Dec. 6, 1965 Jn venfor: I Haim W .I. HEIM EXTRACTION OF CASTINGS May 16, 1967 I5 Sheets-Sheet Original Filed Dec. 6, 1965 J0 van for: 825:? l /a/m fgfm 3,3l9,7@3 Patented May 16, 1967 3,319,703 EXTRACTIUN F CASTINGS .losef Heirn, Odheirn, Germany, assignor to Firma Karl fichmidt G.m.b.H., Neckarsulm, Wurttemberg, Germany, a corporation of Germany Continuation of application Ser. No. 328,561, Dec. 6, 1963. This application July 11, 1966, Ser. No. 564,430 Claims priority, application Germany, Dec. 7, 1962, Sch 32,441 11 Claims. (Cl. 164344) This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 328,561, filed Dec. 6, 1963, now abandoned.

The invention relates to apparatus for extraction of castings, for example, vertical extraction of castings from low-pressure casting tools. These casting tools consist generally of several parts which, when assembled, form the desired casting mold. Particularly in the case of complicated castings, it is necessary, in order to remove the casting from the mold after it has been poured, to re- Inove several parts of the casting tool. The tool can include upper and lower core elements so that the casting can be lifted from the bottom core element by upper core element. Thereafter, the casting can be pulled from the upper core element. This procedure requires that the forces of adhesion to the top core element be greater than those of adhesion to the bottom core. This is always achieved when the draft on the upper core is slighter than the draft on the lower core. Furthermore, it is possible to increase the forces of adhesion on the upper side of the casting by precasting holes or recesses having little draft.

The principal object of the invention is to provide im provement in such casting tools. This can be accomplished in that the upper part of the tool comprises an upper cover plate and a top core, and after the casting process is complete, the upper cover plate, top core, and casting are lifted up by a hydraulic lifting system, for example, a system to which the top core is tightly fastened while the upper cover plate of the casting tool is suspended from the top core by means of two hookshaped elastic shackles. At a certain height, which is adjustable as desired, the elastic shackles are released by two appropriately installed release means which can be in the form of arms, so that the upper cover plate of the casting tool can drop downward forcing disengagement of the top core and casting, unless it is prevented from dropping by adhesion of the casting from the top core. If the weight of the cover plate is not sufficient to pull the casting from the top core, the ejection is finally brought about by the top core being raised further by the lifting system, whereupon the upper cover plate forces the ejection. After removal of the casting, the lift can be lowered so that the top plate and the top core are brought back to the starting position.

Thus, the invention provides a casting tool including a casting injection system comprising a first upper mold member and a second upper mold member, and lifting means for the first mold member. The second mold member is releasably secured to the first mold member and is movable downwardly relative to the first mold member, following release thereof from the first mold member. The ejection system further includes release means for releasing the second mold member from the first mold member, upon lifting of the first mold member. The release means permits movement of the second mold member downwardly of the first mold member, and this movement can be utilized for ejection of the casting which adheres to the first mold member.

The casting machine of the invention comprises a mold including a lower mold member, an upper mold member and an ejector member. The ejector member can be disreleased from its connection with the top core 4.

posed to abut a portion, preferably a peripheral edge portion of a casting in the mold. Lift means are provided for the upper mold member for raising it relative to the lower mold member. The ejector member is releasably secured to the upper mold member for raising of the ejector member with the upper mold member with the ejector member in a first position with respect to the upper mold member, and release of the ejector following said raising. The ejector is movable downwardly of the upper mold member following release thereof from the upper mold member to a second position with respect to the upper mold member. Release means are provided for releasing the ejector, for actuation thereof, following lifting of the upper mold and the ejector member. Thus, the upper mold member and the ejector member are movable upwardly of the lower mold member to operative engagement with the release means, and a casting adhering to the upper mold member, following operation of the release means, is pressed by the ejector member for ejection thereof from the upper mold member.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, means are provided for limiting upward movement of the ejector after operation of the release means, which effects release of the ejector to permit its movement downward. The lift means is adapted to lift the upper mold member above the position thereof corresponding to the uppermost position of the ejector. Thus, upon failure of the ejector following release thereof to eject the casting from the upper mold member, the upper mold member can be raised further to thereby forceably eject the casting.

The invention is further described in reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is each a cross-sectional view, in elevation, of an embodiment of the invention, and showing the machine in various operation stages, FIG. 1 showing the machine with the casting in its orig inal position and with some mold members displaced from casting position, FIG. 2 shows the ejection system after the elevation thereof, and while the casting is adhering to the upper mold member, and FIG. 3 shows the machine immediately following ejection of the casting from the upper mold member.

In the stage shown in FIG. 1, the extraction of the casting has just started, i.e., the two horizontal mold sections 2 of the casting tool have already been drawn out laterally. In the stage shown in FIG. 2, the upper mold member or top core 4, to which the casting adheres, has been lifted upward with the ejector or top cover plate 3, and the cover plate suspending system has already been In the stage shown in FIG. 3, the casting has been released from the upper core 4 and is shown falling therefrom.

In FIG. 1, the first step in the extraction of the casting 1 has already been performed, in that the two horizontal mold sections 2 have already been drawn out laterally. The top plate 3 and the top core 4 of the casting tool are still in their starting position. The core pulling beam 5 interlockingly fastened to the top core 4 is coupled to a lifting device 7 by means of which the top core can be drawn upward. Simultaneously with that action, the top plate 3 is lifted since it is held to the core pulling beam 5 by means of two tong-like shackles 6 urged elastically inward and mounted symmetrically on both sides of the said core pulling beam 5. The shackles 6 are pivot mounted on the top plate 3.

After the casting is done, the entire upper structure of the casting tool, consisting essentially of top core 4 and top plate 3, can then be lifted upward by means of the pulling system 7 (a hydraulic system for example), along with the casting still adhering to the top core (see FIG. 2). At a certain height, the connection between top plate 3 and top core 4 is released in that the two shackles 6 are swung outward by outwardly directed arms 10 which are fixedly secured to the shackles and abut with a release means in the form of the trippers 9. The weight at the top core 4 then rests on the casting 1. If the adherence between casting 1 and top core 4 is so great that the casting 1 is able with its upper edge to hold up the weight of the top plate 3, casting 1 will not be released until the top core 4 is drawn further up by the lifting system 7, so that the top core 4 is moved about the height corresponding to the uppermost position of the ejector or top plate 3, as is shown in FIG. 3. Thereupon the top plate 3 slips downward whereupon the arms 10 laterally mounted on the shackles 6 lose contact with the trippers 9, so that the projections 6a of the shackles 6 snap back inwardly under spring effect, whereby the top plate 3 is caught on the stop means in the form of ledges 12. FIG. 3 shows the upper end position of the entire lifting process.

Thus, the ejector or top plate 3 is movable, with respect to the top core, from a first position (shown in FIG. 1), to a second position (shown in FIG. 3), whereby to effect ejection of the casting.

When the pulling element 7 lowers, the shackles 6 slip back upward over the lateral surfaces of the core pulling beam 5, after the top plate 3 has come to rest in abutting relation with the mold sections 2 or other suitable abutment, until they snap inward by spring action, over the upper edges of the said core pulling beam, so that the shackles 6 are thus back in their starting position as shown in FIG. 1. The notches defined by the ledges 12 and the inclined surfaces a serve to facilitate operation of the shackles as described.

The apparatus of the invention, in addition to the processes described, also makes possible an easy removal of the top core 4 from the casting tool for periodical adjustment. To do this, the shackles 6 are forced manually outward until the hole 14 in the bar is brought into alignment with the hole 15 in the top plate 3, so that the shackles 6 can be locked by pins in the disengaged or opened position (see FIG. 2). The top core 4 can then be completely pulled out by the pulling unit 7. In the meantime, top plate 3 remains in the basic or lower position shown in FIG. 1. The top core can be removed by horizontal displacement in the core pulling beam 5.

The invention has been described with respect to a particular embodiment thereof, and it will be appreciated that this embodiment is merely representative and does not serve to set forth the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Casting machine comprising:

(a) a mold including, an upper mold member and an ejector member, said ejector member being disposed to abut a portion of a casting in the mold;

(b) lift means for the upper mold member for raising said upper mold member;

(c) means releasably securing the ejector member to the upper mold member for the raising of the ejector member with the upper mold member, with the ejector member in a first position with respect to the upper mold member, and release of the ejector following said raising, the ejector being movable downwardly of the upper mold member following release thereof from the upper mold member to a second position with respect to said upper mold member;

(d) release means for releasing the ejector member for actuation thereof, following lifting of the upper mold member and the ejector member;

(e) the upper mold member including stop means for arresting downward movement of the ejector member and securing the ejector member to the upper mold member in said second position of the ejector member;

(f) the ejector being secured to the upper mold member by a shackle permanently secured to one from among the upper mold member and the ejector member and releasably secured to the other of said upper mold member and ejector member by said means releasably securing the ejector member to the upper mold member; whereby the upper mold member and the ejector member are movable upwardly to operative engagement with the release means, and a casting adhering to the upper mold member, following operation of the release means, is pressed by the ejector member for ejection thereof from the upper mold member.

2. Casting machine comprising:

(a) a mold including a lower mold member, an upper mold member and an ejector member, said ejector member being disposed to abut a portion of a casting in the mold;

(b) lift means for the upper mold member for raising said upper mold membre relative to the lower mold member;

(c) means releasably securing the ejector member to the upper mold member for the raising of the ejector member with the upper mold member, with the ejector member in a first position with respect to the upper mold member, and release of the ejector following said raising, the ejector being movable downwardly of the upper mold member following release thereof from the upper mold member to a second position with respect to said upper mold member;

(d) release means for releasing the ejector member for actuation thereof, following lifting of the upper mold member and the ejector member;

(e) the upper mold member including stop means for arresting downward movement of the ejector member and securing the ejector member to the upper mold member in said second position of the ejector member;

(f) the ejector being secured to the upper mold member by a shackle pivotally secured to one from among the upper mold member and the ejector member and releasably secured to the other of said upper mold member and ejector member, means urging the shackle into holding engagement with the member to which it is releasably secured;

whereby the upper mold member and the ejector member are movable upwardly of the lower mold member to operative engagement with the release means, and a casting adhering to the upper mold member, following operation of the release means, is pressed by the ejector member for ejection thereof from the upper mold member.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, including an arm mounted on the shackle for pivoting the shackle on its pivot mounting against the force of said urging means to disengage the shackle and said release means comprising said other member, and a tripper mounted on the casting machine for abutment with said arm upon lifting of the upper mold member to actuate the arm for pivoting the shackle to disengage the shackle and said other member.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, said stop means including a ledge, said shackle including a projection for engagement by said ledge to effect stopping downward movement of the ejector with the ejector in said second position.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, said lift means being operative for raising and lowering the upper mold member, said casting machine including an abutment positioned to abut with the ejector member, when in said second position, upon lowering of the upper mold member by the lift means and to force the ejector from said second position into said first position with the ejector member secured to the upper mold member in the first position.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, the upper mold member including a notch defining said ledge and providing an inclined surface for guiding said shackle projection from engagement with the ledge upon the forcing of the ejector from the second position to the first position.

7. Apparatus according to claim 3, and including means for selectively locking the shackle in the disengaged condition.

8. Apparatus according to claim 3, said tripper limiting upward movement of the ejector, said lift means being adapted to lift said upper mold member above a position corresponding to the uppermost position of the ejector, whereby upon failure of the ejector following release thereof to eject the casting from the upper mold member, the upper mold member can be raised further to thereby forcibly eject the casting.

9. Apparatus according to claim 5, said tripper limiting upward movement of the ejector, said lift means being adapted to lift said upper mold member above a position corresponding to the uppermost position of the ejector, whereby upon failure of :the ejector fol-lowing release thereof to eject the casting from the upper mold member, the upper mold member can be raised further to thereby forcibly eject the casting.

10. Casting machine comprising:

(a) a mold including a lower mold member, an upper mold member and an ejector member, said eject-or member being disposed to abut a portion of a casting in the mold;

(b) lift means for the upper mold member for raising said upper mold member relative to the lower mold member.

(c) means releasably securing the ejector member to the upper mold member for the raising of the ejector member with the upper mold member, with the ejector member in a first position with respect to the upper mold member, and release of the ejector following said raising, the ejector being movable downwardly of the upper mold member following release thereof from the upper mold member to a second position with respect to said upper mold member;

(d) release means for releasing the ejector member for actuation thereof, following lifting of the upper mold member and the ejector member;

(e) said release means limiting upward movement of the ejector after operation of the release means to release said ejector, the lift being adapted to lift the upper mold member above a position corresponding to the uppermost position of the ejector;

whereby the upper mold member and the ejector member are movable upwardly of the lower mold member to operative engagement with the release means, and a casting adhering to the upper mold member, following operation of the release means, is pressed by the ejector member for ejection thereof from the upper mold member, and upon failure of the ejector following release thereof to eject the casting from the upper mold member, the upper mold member can be raised further to thereby forcibly eject the casting.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, the upper mold member including stop means for arresting downward movement of the ejector member and securing the ejector member to the upper mold member in said second position of the ejector member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 19,000 11/1933 Scribner 18-2 1,983,075 12/1934 Geisler 22-94 J. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner. R. D. BALDWIN, Assistant Examiner. 

10. CASTING MACHINE COMPRISING: (A) A MOLD INCLUDING A LOWER MOLD MEMBER, AN UPPER MOLD MEMBER AND AN EJECTOR MEMBER, SAID EJECTOR MEMBER BEING DISPOSED TO ABUT A PORTION OF A CASTING IN THE MOLD; (B) LIFT MEANS FOR THE UPPER MOLD MEMBER FOR RAISING SAID UPPER MOLD MEMBER RELATIVE TO THE LOWER MOLD MEMBER. (C) MEANS RELEASABLY SECURING THE EJECTOR MEMBER TO THE UPPER MOLD MEMBER FOR THE RAISING OF THE EJECTOR MEMBER WITH THE UPPER MOLD MEMBER, WITH THE EJECTOR MEMBER IN A FIRST POSITION WITH RESPECT TO THE UPPER MOLD MEMBER, AND RELEASE OF THE EJECTOR FOLLOWING SAID RAISING, THE EJECTOR BEING MOVABLE DOWNWARDLY OF THE UPPER MOLD MEMBER FOLLOWING RELEASE THEREOF FROM THE UPPER MOLD MEMBER TO A SECOND POSITION WITH RESPECT TO SAID UPPER MOLD MEMBER; (D) RELEASE MEANS FOR RELEASING THE EJECTOR MEMBER FOR ACTUATION THEREOF, FOLLOWING LIFTING OF THE UPPER MOLD MEMBER AND THE EJECTOR MEMBER; (E) SAID RELEASE MEANS LIMITING UPWARD MOVEMENT OF THE EJECTOR AFTER OPERATION OF THE RELEASE MEANS TO RELEASE SAID EJECTOR, THE LIFT BEING ADAPTED TO LIFT THE UPPER MOLD MEMBER ABOVE A POSITION CORRESPONDING TO THE UPPERMOST POSITION OF THE EJECTOR; WHEREBY THE UPPER MOLD MEMBER AND THE EJECTOR MEMBER ARE MOVABLE UPWARDLY OF THE LOWER MOLD MEMBER TO OPERATIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RELEASE MEANS, AND A CASTING ADHERING TO THE UPPER MOLD MEMBER, FOLLOWING OPERATION OF THE RELEASE MEANS, IS PRESSED BY THE EJECTOR MEMBER FOR EJECTION THEREOF FROM THE UPPER MOLD MEMBER, AND UPON FAILURE OF THE EJECTOR FOLLOWING RELEASE THEREOF TO EJECT THE CASTING FROM THE UPPER MOLD MEMBER, THE UPPER MOLD MEMBER CAN BE RAISED FURTHER TO THEREBY FORCIBLY EJECT THE CASTING. 